Volunteer Leadership Conference

4-6 p.m. | Check-In Welcome Reception at Whitaker Hall Atrium (networking opportunity)
Enjoy refreshments and live music as you and your fellow volunteers check in for the conference.

5:30-6 p.m. | Updating the WashU Brand and Increasing Familiarity With Our University at Whitaker Hall Auditorium

6-6:45 p.m. | Welcome Cocktail Reception at Kemper Art Museum

6:45-8:45 p.m. | Dinner and Remarks at Tisch Park

7:30-9:30 a.m. | Breakfast at Knight Hall, Frick Forum (networking opportunity)
Start the day with this great opportunity to connect with fellow volunteers in an informal, social setting.

8:15-9:15 a.m. | Campus Trolley Tour | Entrance to Knight Hall

9:30-10:45 a.m. | Keynote Session at Knight Hall, Emerson Auditorium

11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | Breakout Session No. 1 at the Knight Center

• Shaping WashU’s Financial Future: Sustaining Our No-Loan Initiative | Room 210
• Dialogue Across Difference: An Interactive Workshop | Room 340

12:30-1:45 p.m. | VLC Lunch at the Knight Center, Anheuser-Busch Dining Room

2-3 p.m. | Breakout Session No. 2 at the Knight Center

• A Journey Into Excellence: Exploring How WashU is Leading in Neuroscience | Room 210
• Meet the Trailblazers: A Panel Discussion With Our Newest Deans | Room 340

3-6 p.m. | Eliot Society Family Day Overlooking the Great Forest Park Balloon Race at Tisch Park

September 20-21, 2024​. Registration begins at 3 p.m. on Friday, September 20. The conference ends with the Great Forest Park Balloon Race and Eliot Society Family Day from 3-6 p.m. on Saturday, September 21.

Washington University Danforth Campus

The Volunteer Leadership Conference (VLC) is designed to recognize the exceptional contributions of volunteers, and ensure that volunteers are well-versed on the university’s strategic priorities.​ The two-day event will be filled with engaging workshops offering targeted training and strategic planning, meaningful networking opportunities with fellow WashU volunteer leaders, and the chance to hear directly from university leadership on priorities and initiatives that will shape the future of WashU.

Volunteer leaders, including APAP leadership team; Regional, Professional, Industry, and Shared Interest and Cultural Networks chairs; Eliot Society volunteers; Alumni Board of Governors members; and Regional Cabinet chairs and committee members, are invited.

Please plan to bring your entire family to enjoy the fun-filled fall weekend in St. Louis! Everyone is invited to attend the Eliot Society Family Day on Saturday, September 21, from 3-6 p.m., with an exclusive party overlooking the Great Forest Park Balloon Race. There is a wide-range of family-friendly activities throughout the St. Louis-area on VLC weekend, so you may want to plan to stay through Sunday.

If you need childcare support during your visit, we can help make recommendations. Please email vlc@wustl.edu for more information.

There is no cost to attend the VLC! Hotel stays and transportation costs are the responsibility of the attendee. A limited amount of funding is available to help offset the cost for those who require financial assistance to travel to the VLC. Reimbursement is available on a first come, first served basis for hotel or air transportation only. Please fill out the Conference Travel Subsidy form to apply. 

Yes! You will have the opportunity to select the sessions you would like to attend.

Special rates for VLC weekend are available at The Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza St. Louis, Clayton Plaza Hotel, and The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. Reservations must be made by August 30, 2024, to secure discounted rates. Learn more and make your reservations!

Parking is free for the VLC! On Friday night, park in the East End Garage. You must take a ticket before 5 p.m. but the gates will automatically lift after 5 p.m. On Saturday, park in the Millbrook Garage. You must take a ticket, and then insert the ticket to exit. Parking information will also be sent out with the meeting confirmation.

Please email us to let us know if you have any accessibility needs, and a staff member will follow up.

Friday, Sept. 20 | 5:30 – 6 p.m.
East End

Mike Bulthaus, Associate Vice Chancellor for University Marketing
Introduction by Gene Kahn, Trustee Emeritus

University Marketing & Communications, working in partnership with academic and business units across the university, have updated WashU’s brand to be distinctive, consistent, and foundational, increasing peoples’ familiarity with WashU among the nation’s top universities. Join us as Mike Bulthaus shares insights into the extensive re-branding process and what lies ahead!

Friday, Sept. 20 | 6 – 6:45 p.m.
Kemper Art Museum

Celebrating Our WashU Students

Kick off the conference with this engaging welcome cocktail reception, where you will have the opportunity to connect with current WashU students. Learn more about our students’ groundbreaking research, innovative projects, and exciting future endeavors. Enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres and drinks while fostering meaningful connections and gaining insights into the cutting-edge initiatives shaping the university.

Friday, Sept. 20 | 6:45 – 8:45 p.m.
Tisch Park

Remarks by Dr. Anna Gonzalez: Creating the Best-in-Class Student Experience

Enjoy dinner and insightful conversation with Anna Gonzalez, vice chancellor for Student Affairs, as she shares her innovative approach to enriching student life. Known as “Dr. G” to many of her students, she brings three decades of higher education expertise to her role, with research interests focused on first-generation and immigrant students, equity, student affairs administration, higher education policy, governance, and finance. 

Saturday, Sept. 21 | 9:30 – 10:45 a.m.
Emerson Auditorium

Welcome Remarks by Chancellor Andrew D. Martin
Introduction by Nancy Parker Tice, AB ’90, MBA ’98

Intersections of Public Health: Charting the Course
Panel Moderated by Beverly Wendland
Panelists: Sandro Galea, MD, DrPH, the inaugural Margaret C. Ryan Dean of the School of Public Health, and Eugene S. and Constance Kahn Distinguished Professorship in Public Health; Debra Haire-Joshu, Joyce and Chauncy Buchheit Professorship in Public Health; and Lindsay Stark, associate dean for Global Strategy and Programs at the Brown School

Start your day with a compelling morning session with opening remarks by Chancellor Andrew D. Martin, followed by a panel discussion led by Beverly Wendland, Washington University’s provost and executive vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. This panel of university leaders, including Sandro Galea, MD, DrPH, the inaugural Margaret C. Ryan Dean of the School of Public Health; Debra Haire-Joshu, Joyce and Chauncy Buchheit Professorship in Public Health; and Lindsay Stark, associate dean for Global Strategy and Programs at the Brown School; will delve into the collaborative initiatives shaping the School of Public Health, WashU’s first new school in a century. Explore the dynamic intersections between public health and academia as we navigate the path forward.

Saturday, Sept. 21 | 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Knight Center

Shaping WashU’s Financial Future: Sustaining Our No-Loan Initiative | Room 210
Amy Kweskin, Executive Vice Chancellor for Finance and Chief Financial Officer; and Ronné Turner, Vice Provost for Admissions & Financial Aid
Introduction by Merry Mosbacher, MBA ’82

Join us for an enlightening session featuring two influential university leaders, Amy Kweskin and Ronné Turner. Together, they will explore how WashU is shaping its future through sustainable financial management and equitable access to education. Kweskin will provide an overview of the university’s finances and asset management strategy, highlighting the critical role of the university’s endowment in advancing our mission and impact. Complementing this, Turner will share more about how these policies promote and advance educational equity, including the transformative impact of WashU’s decision to become a no-loan institution. This policy, for example, removes financial barriers and alleviates the burden of student debt by replacing need-based loans for undergraduate students with scholarships and university grants.

Dialogue Across Difference: An Interactive Workshop | Room 340
Mark Kamimura-Jiménez, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion
Introduction by Marissa Hockfield, AB ’01

This transformative workshop, led by Mark Kamimura-Jiménez, introduces the innovative new Dialogue Across Difference (DxD) course offered to WashU students. DxD fosters communication and collaboration by equipping students with the tools to engage in honest and productive dialogue across diverse identities and perspectives. Through this interactive exercise, you will experience firsthand how DxD is preparing students to flourish among people with differing priorities and ways of seeing the world with empathy, civility, and understanding.

Saturday, Sept. 21 | 12:30 – 1:45 p.m.
Knight Center, Anheuser-Busch Dining Room

Preparing Students for Career Success: Unlocking Opportunities at the Center for Career Engagement
Norma Guerra Gaier, Associate Vice Chancellor for Career Development and Education; and Danny Pape, Director of Career Services
Introduction by Alex Yesnik, AB ’05

Join us for lunch with Norma Guerra Gaier, associate vice chancellor for career development and education at Washington University; and Danny Pape, director of career services. With more than 30 years of experience in the field, Gaier leads the newly reimagined Center for Career Engagement. Discover how this innovative hub provides equitable access and services for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students to support their career journeys. Under her leadership, the center serves as a catalyst for robust career exploration and preparing students for post-graduation success.

Saturday, Sept. 21 | 2 – 3 p.m.
Knight Center

A Journey Into Excellence: Exploring How WashU is Leading in Neuroscience | Room 210
Timothy M. Miller, MD, PhD, David Clayson Professor of Neurology, and Vice Chair of Research, Department of Neurology; and Timothy Holy, Alan A. & Edith L. Wolff Professor of Neuroscience, and Vice Chair of Research
Moderated by Will Arvin, Vice Chancellor of Medical Advancement

Join Vice Chancellor of Medical Advancement Will Arvin for this engaging Q&A session with Timothy M. Miller, MD, PhD, David Clayson Professor of Neurology, and Vice Chair of Research, Department of Neurology; and Timothy Holy, Alan A. & Edith L. Wolff Professor of Neuroscience, and vice chair of research at Washington University School of Medicine. Discover how WashU scientists are pioneering advancements in neuroscience research and education and how their cutting-edge work will impact our future.

Meet the Trailblazers: A Panel Discussion With Our Newest Deans | Room 340
Introduction by Sabrina McGirt, AB ’92, MBA ’99

Explore the journey of academic leadership with WashU’s newest deans: Stefanie A. Lindquist, Nickerson Dean of the School of Law; Dorian Traube, Neidorff Family and Centene Corporation Dean of the Brown School; and Michael Mazzeo, dean and Knight Family Professor of Olin Business School. Get firsthand perspectives on their experiences and visions for leading their respective schools, from fostering innovation to enhancing the student experience. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with our dynamic leaders and learn more about their exciting plans for the future.